Three trees are mention in Genesis 2:9. The Tree of Life. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The trees of the world whose fruit is good. Those three trees also match up with the three crosses on which Jesus and the two thieves died. This sermon follows the trees to Christ and His atonement for your sin. and was preached on the Second Wednesday in Lent at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Muscatine, Iowa.

The temptation of Christ takes place in the wilderness after receiving baptism and forty days and nights of fasting. What is the unexpected gift from Jesus for us? This sermon was preached on the First Sunday in Lent, also known as Invocabit Sunday, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Muscatine, Iowa.

The classic text for Ash Wednesday is “From dust you came and to dust you will return” (Genesis 3). And then the Lord sacrificed an animal so that he could cloth them and cover their shame. Why did He do that? It was the first sacrifice. The text for tonight is Hebrews 9:22, “Without blood there is no forgiveness of sins”. Let us follow the blood and receive the forgiveness of our sins.

The Parable of the Sower is both told and explained by Jesus. The seed is the Word of God. This seed is a working Word. It is powerful to do what is was sown to do. The Law of God digs up the hardened path. Baptism waters the new ground. Absolution keeps the ground moist. The Seed is sown. The soil is made rich with Holy Communion. Let us remain having the Word of God sown into our hearts and become mature Christians.

How generous is Jesus? Matthew 20:1-16 is the Parable of the Vineyard. This parable is all about the grace and generosity of God our Father in Jesus Christ. This sermon was preached at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Muscatine, IA on Septuagesima Sunday, February 9, 2020.

The Transfiguration of Jesus is recorded in Mark 9. Peter is amazed but confesses that we have something better. We have the Holy Scriptures. This sermon was delivered at Our Savior Lutheran Church on Sunday, February, 2020.

You are rescued from more than a bad day through Jesus Christ. Though we are sinners and therefore bound to return to the dust from which we came, and we remain subject to suffering, death, and decay, our Lord has healed us from the eternal consequences of our sin. And while our bodies break down, we know that they will rise again and be free of all sickness and infirmity. For Jesus has the authority to forgive us our sins, and he has done it. This sermon was preached on January 26, 2020 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Muscatine, Iowa. Matthew 8:1-13

The changing of water into wine is a miracle, one by which Jesus manifests His glory. But the miracle doesn’t look glorious at all. Kind of like the manger. Kind of like the cross. Kind of like how Jesus normally works to save, manifesting His glory behind the scenes. This sermon was preached on February 19, 2020 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Muscatine, Iowa. John 2:1-11.

Jesus does more than change water into wine. He reveals His glory in this miracle. Few notice. Jesus does not change water into wine for you but does something even greater.

This sermon was preached on January 19, 2020 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Muscatine, Iowa.

Twelve year old Jesus travels with His extended family from Nazareth to Jerusalem for the Passover. Great! However, He stayed in Jerusalem after they returned home. He stayed at the Temple listening to the teachers and asking questions. Joseph and Mary search for three days. But who found whom. This sermon was preached on January 12, 2020 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Muscatine, Iowa.